One of the major acts at the Witnness rock festival which starts in Co Kildare today has pulled out of the event after its frontman was injured in a car crash. Detroit rockers, the White Stripes, were forced to cancel following the accident in which singer and guitarist Jack White fractured his left hand.
Replacing them on the Witnness main stage tomorrow night, will be psychedelic pop group The Flaming Lips. Their slot in the "Witness Rising" tent is filled by Dublin singer-song writer David Kitt, who received an unexpected call-up yesterday morning.
With a ticket capacity of 25,000 for each of the two days of the festival at Punchestown racecourse near Naas, gardaí have urged concert-goers to arrive early to avoid a repeat of the chronic traffic congestion that marred an Eminem show at the same venue in June.
A late surge in interest means the event is close to selling out but a limited number of tickets have been held in reserve and will be available today at the gates, which open at midday.
The forecast is for dry weather with warm sunshine and temperatures up to 23 degrees Celsius so concert-goers are advised to dress appropriately and drink plenty of water.
Over 100 artists will perform over the weekend in a bill that includes Irish acts The Frames, Gemma Hayes and Damien Rice. Students' favourites Coldplay are tonight's headliners while soulful Welsh singer David Gray closes the festival tomorrow.
One of the most eagerly anticipated performances will be by the Polyphonic Spree, a 25 piece Texan "rock-gospel" outfit who take to the stage in white robes and have been described by one critic as "the only cult group to actually dress like a cult".
Dublin Bus expects to carry 40,000 to the concert over both days, with a shuttle service departing Parnell Square West every 20 minutes from 11 am to 5pm today and tomorrow.
The withdrawal of the White Stripes, one of the few rock groups embraced by critics and public alike, will disappoint many. They are the second major cancellation; Zwan, a spin-off of the Smashing Pumpkins, pulled out last month citing "family reasons".
This year marks the Witnness festival's Punchestown debut. The festival has been staged in Fairyhouse, Co Meath since its inception three years ago.
A Garda incident room will operate at the site and can be contacted on 045 887826.
